TGE Noob: #1
by Richard Bottoms · in Torque Game Engine · 03/13/2005 (4:19 pm) · 10 replies
I am starting a series of posts called TGE Noob. I'll try to give answers to some of the more maddening things if you are just coming to TGE.
#1. Where is my Game?
TGE isn't a game, it's a game engine. There are two principle parts of the package you need to deal with.
The code base for the engine lives here:
SDK/engine
The place to load the code into VC++ is here:
SDK/vc7/Torque SDK.sln
File -> Open -> Project
VC++ 6 still works but is becoming increasingy obsolete. Switch to VC++ 7 and save your headaches.
Once you compile the program code the output is here:
SDK/example/torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe
Double click on torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe, click on 'Mission' and you will se the Stronghold demo.
To run the racing demo use the command line:
torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe -game starter.racing
The bottom line:
Once you have compiled a copy of the Torque binary (torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe) you dont have to mess with VC++ again if you don't want to. Torque is a scripted environment. Those scripts control what gets put in the game and how it works.
From this point on you will be working in the SDK/example/ directory. Any text editor will be sufficient. I happen to like Visual Slick Edit.
#1. Where is my Game?
TGE isn't a game, it's a game engine. There are two principle parts of the package you need to deal with.
The code base for the engine lives here:
SDK/engine
The place to load the code into VC++ is here:
SDK/vc7/Torque SDK.sln
File -> Open -> Project
VC++ 6 still works but is becoming increasingy obsolete. Switch to VC++ 7 and save your headaches.
Once you compile the program code the output is here:
SDK/example/torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe
Double click on torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe, click on 'Mission' and you will se the Stronghold demo.
To run the racing demo use the command line:
torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe -game starter.racing
The bottom line:
Once you have compiled a copy of the Torque binary (torqueDemo_DEBUG.exe) you dont have to mess with VC++ again if you don't want to. Torque is a scripted environment. Those scripts control what gets put in the game and how it works.
From this point on you will be working in the SDK/example/ directory. Any text editor will be sufficient. I happen to like Visual Slick Edit.
#2
03/13/2005 (6:07 pm)
You also may want to provide links to the next post in each of them.
#3
Understand that a significant portion of new users are here because of 3D Game Programming All in One. It's a great book but not perfect.
And second because the forums are horribly designed and almost impossible to manuver.
Here's an experiment. Tell me what InteriorInstance does in a .mis file using only the forums. Go. I've spent the last 30 minutes trying answer that question myself.
If there is a resource that explains every single entry in every configuration file I'd like to get a link so I can add it to the Noob guide.
03/13/2005 (6:24 pm)
Actually I am doing it because first, Noobs have an entirely reasonable expectation that when they download the TGE there shoud be some basic explainations about how things work with 'Hello World' level tutorials.Understand that a significant portion of new users are here because of 3D Game Programming All in One. It's a great book but not perfect.
And second because the forums are horribly designed and almost impossible to manuver.
Here's an experiment. Tell me what InteriorInstance does in a .mis file using only the forums. Go. I've spent the last 30 minutes trying answer that question myself.
If there is a resource that explains every single entry in every configuration file I'd like to get a link so I can add it to the Noob guide.
#5
In the meantime I will continue on my quest to get stuff like this in the download package and champion the Noobs.
BTW, Noobs in this context means people new to TGE. Many like myself work in technology, often in software development in languages ranging from Jython to Java to Perl. They are very knowledgeable in their fields and don't have the time to devote to minutiae when it comes to the engine.
We are perfectly willing to pay for ease of use. That's what buying TGE means to me. Not a drag & drop game system but reasonably understandable set of tools to use in making games in my free time.
I don't want to spend hours figuring out how to move the camera. Just tell me how and charge me if you need to.
I don't believe in merely complaining so I am giving some time to make things happen the way I want, but I truly believe there is not the least bit wrong with people buying the producto ask where's the info needed to make things work and not make them act as archaeologists to find out.
03/13/2005 (7:12 pm)
I proposed that several years ago, but I think the best thing now is for GG to revamp their system. At some point they'll get so large that ripping out the current forum system will be next to impossible. Still time now.In the meantime I will continue on my quest to get stuff like this in the download package and champion the Noobs.
BTW, Noobs in this context means people new to TGE. Many like myself work in technology, often in software development in languages ranging from Jython to Java to Perl. They are very knowledgeable in their fields and don't have the time to devote to minutiae when it comes to the engine.
We are perfectly willing to pay for ease of use. That's what buying TGE means to me. Not a drag & drop game system but reasonably understandable set of tools to use in making games in my free time.
I don't want to spend hours figuring out how to move the camera. Just tell me how and charge me if you need to.
I don't believe in merely complaining so I am giving some time to make things happen the way I want, but I truly believe there is not the least bit wrong with people buying the producto ask where's the info needed to make things work and not make them act as archaeologists to find out.
#6
03/13/2005 (8:40 pm)
I am planning a Torque site, and asked for comments, suggestions or advice in this thread. 
#8
@Richard & Wysardry: thanks for putting effort this way. I'm trying to consolidate some of the newb engine-compiling resources and techniques, but you're right, we need more help making scripting accessible as well.
03/14/2005 (11:36 am)
@Jim: read the preceding posts:Quote:Understand that a significant portion of new users are here because of 3D Game Programming All in One. It's a great book but not perfect.
@Richard & Wysardry: thanks for putting effort this way. I'm trying to consolidate some of the newb engine-compiling resources and techniques, but you're right, we need more help making scripting accessible as well.
#10
MinApp Tutorial #1
The links to the other 3 in the series are inside that resource.
03/14/2005 (1:26 pm)
Below is the first in a series of 4 "MinApp" tutorials that I wrote once upon a time which has helped a lot of people get started from the ground running.MinApp Tutorial #1
The links to the other 3 in the series are inside that resource.
Torque Owner Nate "Nateholio" Watson
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